Articles by Tracy Haas Depa

Trends in ... cold protection

‘Lives on the line’
Working in cold conditions can be challenging, even dangerous. Without adequate protection, outdoor workers may experience frostbite and hypothermia, a potentially deadly form of cold stress that occurs when a person’s body temperature drops below 95° F. Here, industry insiders discuss new technology being used to help keep workers safe in cold conditions, and offer helpful tips.
Read More

Trends in ... tool tethers, safety tools and knives

Follow the rules
Tape measures and hammers can be dangerous objects if dropped. That’s where tool tethers come in. And for workers who use knives to open boxes or perform other tasks, safety knives are available to help prevent potentially devastating cuts. Here, safety experts discuss what’s new in tool tethers, tools and safety knives.
Read More

Trends in ... fall protection

Safety+Health spoke with Melissa Black, president of consulting firm MsR3 LLC and an adjunct professor in occupational safety and health at Orange Beach, AL-based Columbia Southern University, to get her thoughts on what’s new in the fall protection field, how workers can avoid misuse and how workers can best stay safe.


Read More

Trends in ... eyewashes and showers

Properly working, easily accessible emergency eyewashes and showers are vital to on-the-job safety. That’s because “the first 10 to 15 seconds after exposure to a hazardous substance, especially a corrosive substance, are critical,” the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety states. “Delaying treatment, even for a few seconds, may cause serious injury.”


Read More

Trends in ... hand protection

An industry insider shares his views
Cuts, chemical burns, broken fingers and amputations are some of the hand injuries that commonly occur on the job. In fact, 121,860 nonfatal hand injuries involving days away from work were recorded in 2017, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Read More

Trends in ... foot protection

‘Invest in quality’
Punctures and lacerations, sprains and strains, crushed and broken bones, electric shock, and amputations are some of the foot injuries that can occur at work. And aside from injuries, standing for long periods can lead to tired, aching feet.
Read More